If Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t 7-foot-3 and still wearing his blond hair short, Audie Norris would have a tough time recognizing the Latvian. That’s how different he looks from last season.

Norris, the big-man coach for the Spanish League’s Casala Sevilla last season, was at the Garden for last Friday’s and Sunday’s games against Milwaukee and the Lakers as Porzingis’ guest. Porzingis was after rebounds like Norris had never seen in Sevilla, where Porzingis played two seasons.

“It reminded me of a conversation we had in Sevilla,’’ Norris told The Post on Thursday. “I told him when you get in the NBA, if you are active, attacking the glass offensively, you can easily rebound in this league because nobody boxes out. That’s what he’s been doing. That’s why he’s getting a lot of offensive putbacks. Nobody boxes out — they just jump up. That’s why he’s doing very well at rebounding. He’s always staying active. He doesn’t stay still. And he’s hanging around the basket more than I’m used to seeing him.’’

Touted as a project, Porzingis has been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises. He’s averaging 11.6 points and 9.0 rebounds in 24 minutes and has a chance to become the first Knicks rookie to average a double-double since Willis Reed in 1964.

The legend nearly grew larger Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., but his 3-pointer was waved off by referees. A fingertip was still on the ball when the clock hit zero, wiping out Porzingis’ game-winner.

That wasn’t Porzingis’ role as a 19-year-old in Spain.

“I don’t remember him being in that situation,’’ said Norris, a former Blazers big man who lives in Barcelona. “He was on the floor but didn’t get the last shot.’’

Porzingis averaged just 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in Spain. If his numbers glittered more, Porzingis likely would not have dropped to No. 4 in the draft, where the Knicks snagged him. Norris said Porzingis’ rebounding numbers could be deflated as the Spanish League calculated them differently, not handing out tipped rebounds.

“There were a lot of questions about Kristaps,’’ Norris said. “He was a frail kid at the time and his numbers weren’t astronomical. Half the NBA was there looking at him. But I think he landed in the right situation where he can grow as a player. He’s got the right personality for New York and they’ve embraced him. New York needs a personality like Kristaps right now.’’

Norris hung out with Porzingis over the weekend and noticed only two things have troubled the rookie about New York — the traffic and his amount of promotional appearances. Though an extrovert, Porzingis feels he can use the extra rest, Norris said.

“But he loves it,’’ Norris said. “One thing he says is he can work out whenever he wants to. The only thing he complained about is traffic. He was a little late for the Milwaukee game. He didn’t calculate the traffic well and was still upset about that after the game. He hates to be late. He’s always early.’’

Norris also spoke with Porzingis’ parents, Talis and Ingrida — his 6-foot father and 5-11 mother. Porzingis’ mother is spending the season in New York, just as she spent last season in Spain. His father is in town for the first two months.

“They were thanking me a lot for helping him in Sevilla,’’ Norris said. “I told them I just came at the right time for Kris.’’

Earlier this week Porzingis told The Post, “[Norris] helped me a lot with all the little things of a big man. Before I was just a forward.”

Porzingis said Norris taught him the bank shot, which he never used because his brother didn’t like it.

“I love it now, it’s part of my game,’’ Porzingis said.

Norris is just happy Porzingis is taking advantage of his extreme attributes and has not been just a shooter.

“He’s figuring out how to use his body and strength,’’ Norris said. “He is a lot stronger than he looks. He’d go up against Shaq [O’Neal] and not be fazed too much because of his excitement and willingness to do anything to get it done.’’

According to Norris, Porzingis has connected on a personal level with Carmelo Anthony.

“It’s one of the things Kris is really happy about,’’ Norris said. “He didn’t know what type of relationship he was going to have with Carmelo. He’s really happy they’ve developed a relationship outside the basketball court.’’